His family’s statement read: "It is with great sadness that the Forsyth family announce that Sir Bruce passed away this afternoon, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Wilnelia and all his children.

"A couple of weeks ago, a friend visited him and asked him what he had been doing these last eighteen months.

"With a twinkle in his eye, he responded, 'I've been very, very busy... being ill!' Unfortunately, not long after this, his health deteriorated and he contracted bronchial pneumonia.

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"The family would like to express their thanks to the many people who have sent cards and letters to Bruce wishing him well over his long illness and know that they will share in part, the great, great loss they feel.”

The family would like to express their thanks to the many people who have sent cards and letters to Bruce wishing him well over his long illness and know that they will share in part, the great, great loss they feel

The Forsyth family

Over the past 18 months, Bruce has suffered from a series of health problems including a chest infection in March 2017.

The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter has been out of the public eye since being diagnosed with two aortic aneurysms in 2015.

Last month the Sir Bruce’s close friend and comedian Jimmy Tarbuck told an audience in Blackpool that the TV legend was “frail”.

PA

Bruce Forsyth dead: How did Bruce Forsyth die? Bruce Forsyth dies at the age of 89